The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-02-05

eyes under their lowering brows. He
rose slowly and touched his hat
"Ain't he no better yetp"
don't you know" said Macdor aid,
irritable with the impatience of sup
pressed pain, "that he'll never be any
better in this worldp"
A troubled look came into the mans
wild eyes.
II thought It would be afore sun
down." he muttered. Don't you be-
lieve It, sir; he amt a-goin to de-no,
no-not her
He sat down again, settling back into
his old look of dogged patience. Mac
donald, finding it useless to say any
thing to him, went quietly back and
took up his post again beside Murdoch.
What was it, MacP Any one want
ing youp"
at was Bill Adamson, from the huts
know how you were"
"Black BillP Poor old chap! You
didn't send him away. did youp I'd like
to see him again"
'Can you bear it, MurdochP"
"Why notp Do let him come up"
Macdonald went down again and
found him still motionless in the same
position. He touched him on the shoul-
der.
"Adamson, will you come up9 He
wants to see you"
The mans whole face lighted up.
"The bossP May l."
He rose at once to follow-then he
suddenly stopped and carefully drew off
his heavy boots.
"Did he say he wanted to see mep"
"Yes."
He spoke not another word but went
into the room with Macdonald and
stood awkwardly at the foot of the bed,
scarcely daring to lift his eyes to the
changed white face and drawn lips.
well, old fellow, I'm awful glad to
see you. just leave us little, will
you, Mac'"
And Macdonald left them together.
He looked up, twisted his fingers help
lessly, scraped the floor with his foot,
and jerked out the words with kind
of defiance:
"You won't die, boss! I know you
wont. I've made it all right?'
"What do you meanP Come here!'
And he went nearer, and Lenox MUIR
doch lifted his unwounded left arm and
laid it round his neck.
"Why, don't you know, boss? They
said they'd take me instead of you--
and they won't go back on their word"
Il don't understand. Tell me all
about it."
He raised himself-it must have cost
him fearful pain--with his old winning,
mischievous smile, as if he were might
lily amused at himself and the whole sit
uation and laid his head down on Bill's
shoulder. The great bushman wound
his rough arms tenderly round the
slight figure. and asked, instead of an
swering:
'Does it hurt you now?"
mo, not much account. Tell me
WilitU NOl ucut Iut
So he told him-slowly, in broken,
awkward words, having to be helped
out by questions now and then--of the
black-fellows' burial-place, and the mid
night incarnation and how "They" had
promised, by the sign of the falling
star. And before he had ended the dy-
ing man was sobbing as if his heart
would break.
Don't, sir; oh, don't! You'll hurt
yourself, you will!'
"Bill--dear, dear old fellow, how
could you think of such q horrible
thingp Oh, God! oh God!'
my life for yours-mine amt worth
much-and what would we ever do
without you?"
"Oh! but you mustn't-you mustn't
think of God in that way! You--oh!
what shall say to youP You'll break
my hearth
Don't take on-don't. 1 didn't
think it would have vexed ye SOL
wouldn't have told"
"Listen to me, now, and remember
what l say. Will you oncep" Bill
nodded, but did not speak. "You
must mt think it's bad for me to die.
See-if went away to Sydney you
wouldn't be wanting to leave the sheep
and run after me, would you? You'd
just wait till came back"
Something like a sob shook the mans
rugged chest, and the slow, hard tears
gathered in his eyes.
"But you'll never come back!'
mo, but you can come to me. Look
here-you believe care for you. don't
youp"
GAY, that do, boss"
"God made you, and He cares for you
far more than ever can. Can't you
believe He loves youp If 1 didn't
think He did me l shouldn't know
! what to do now. You mustn't think
He doesn't love me because I'm dying
like this. I'm going to Him, and so
will you if you wait patiently and
try to do right. Remember, you
won't see me again if you do what you
said"
"But promised"
He don't want you to keep that
promise. You didn't know rightly what
He was when you made it. II wish
could help you-tell you clearly what
mean. Ask Him to help you-just as
| you talk to me. Promise me
you'll not kill yourself"
II won't, then, if you don't want" 4"